"When I’m a mom, I’m NEVER doing that with my kids!” If I had a dollar for every time I said that to my mom as a kid and did exactly what she did when I became a mother… Mom always made sure I ate and drank from stainless steel plates, flatware, and cups. I thought it was just an Indian thing (and it certainly is). But it’s one of the safest choices you can make for your children.

One of the most important things you can do with your kids is simply eating meals with them. Did you know that something as simple as frequently eating meals together contributes to many physical, emotional and developmental benefits for kids? As a Pediatrician, I designed every element of Ahimsa products and activities to make mealtime fun and engaging because well - mealtime is so important. This type of quality family time is priceless and, of course, like everything at Ahimsa, is backed by science. 

As a new entrepreneur, I had no idea what this journey would be like - all I knew was that it was a journey worth taking because it involved solving a significant problem that faced children’s health.This year has brought so many amazing things for our small business with a BIG mission.

What is (and particularly what isn’t) on children’s plates in the United States is prime evidence of the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Right before the current health crisis hit, childhood food insecurity affected a staggering 15 million children. Without the consistency of school meals, as well as many households losing income, that number has grown to about 18 million.

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Kids, especially toddlers, are always on the move! Exploring, exploring, and oh yes, more exploring! From one to four years old, toddlers developmentally explore the world with constant hand-to-mouth motions. Unfortunately, dangerous substances can sometimes get into their systems through those motions, explorations, and experimentations - and it can happen more simply than you may imagine. Especially during times that adults can be overwhelmed or distracted (family gatherings, cooking meals for the holidays, balancing all that gift wrapping - the usual events this time of the year). 

Gustation. It’s a fun word right? It is the scientific term for “taste”. We know that there are 5 basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and unami (savory). We actually have receptors in our oral cavity (mouth) and gut to sense taste - they help tell us if we should allow a substance into our body. The human body is pretty amazing and we were born with abilities to keep ourselves safe. For example, we prefer sweet over bitter because well - breast milk is sweet and poison is bitter. See - our taste buds have helped us grow and thrive for centuries. 

As children grow, we as parents are forever rearranging and organizing their rooms and play areas. What is the best way that we can encourage our children to play and work independently? It’s important at an early age to create a dedicated play space that will encourage a child to explore on their own while also building their independent skills and fostering self-esteem.

Living through almost two years in a pandemic has changed literally everything - from what we do on a daily basis to what we think about as parents. Since I now wear multiple hats (pediatrician, mom and now business owner) the way I think about my holiday shopping is shaped by my experiences in those roles. This year, I am committing to deeper reasons and intentions behind my purchase behavior. The little things we do every day matter - for our children and our planet. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 9 million to 45 million cases of the flu each year. And with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to do what we can to stay healthy. To fight the flu, healthcare experts suggest that everyone get an annual flu shot. In addition to following medical guidance, you can also stay healthy by eating certain immune-boosting, antioxidant-rich foods.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, The World Health Organization and The Endocrine Society are among the many medical communities that are sounding the alarm. Synthetic (made by humans) endocrine disrupting chemicals are found in everyday products - particularly in our food system. These chemicals look like our everyday hormones that allow us to grow, develop, reproduce, balance our body’s salt and water level and many more significant functions that keep us healthy. The chemicals in products look like our natural hormones and interrupt these normal signaling pathways. This is particularly important in children as they are still growing and developing rapidly - many organ systems are not even fully developed in that first decade of life.

Last month, a fantastic NPR podcast highlighted the problem with plastic which I will summarize here: “According to a 2017 research article, more than 40% of all plastic made is packaging, which is used only once or twice before being thrown away. According to a recent analysis examining global plastic waste generation between 2010 and 2016, the United States was responsible for more plastic trash than any country in the world. That’s millions and millions of tons of plastic waste. Per capita, that boils down to nearly 300 pounds of plastic trash per person(!) per year. It’s estimated that only about 9% of plastic waste generated in the U.S. is recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerators, and, unfortunately, marine environments such as rivers and oceans. And there, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it will remain for hundreds of years.”

Getting back to school is all about learning new routines, so now is a great time to develop healthier snacking habits. Packaged snack foods can be an easy, convenient choice for after school but often provide too many added calories and not enough nutrition. Snacks don't have to be complicated!

A food preference is the concept of liking certain foods over others. This is associated with many factors, most of which are learned and shaped by our experiences. We are born with some, however. For example, babies prefer sweet and fatty foods. Why? Breast Milk is sweet and high in fat! However, there are many other factors that start early in life that shape this preference that is forming in the first 2 years of your child’s life. Studies show that these early food preferences directly affect eating habits and are linked to a child’s overall health.  

As the pandemic continues to improve and families are slowly navigating the transition to "normalcy", Dr. Manasa Matravadi brings great tips on how to get together again safely. 

Learn about plant-based diets for children with Dr. Derek Kwan one of San Diego’s Top Doctors. Dr. Kwan will answer some frequently asked questions about plant-based diets, share tips on how to make healthy plant- based meals at home and quick tips for beginners.

Learn about plant-based diets for children with Dr. Derek Kwan one of San Diego’s Top Doctors. You will get a special view of some of his personal tips & tricks on how to design an appropriately planned diet, and the science behind a healthy plant-based plate.